GENETICS did some of Ante Covic's work for him, but after 18 years in the senior game the former Socceroos goalkeeper knows the effort involved in staying at the peak, personally and as a team.

Last year he was Melbourne Victory's player of the year, and this year went one better to be named, at 38, the best custodian in the league after such a successful year in the Wanderers colours.

There are heavy parallels with Mark Schwarzer in the way Covic has embraced his (purely in a football sense) old age, and has absolutely no intention of even thinking about retirement.

Not when there are so many shots to save, trophies to win (starting with the grand final on Sunday), and junior players to guide. For there's no doubt that Tony Popovic knew he was signing more than just a fine goalkeeper, but also a major dressing room presence.

Active in the players union for years, Covic says he has "found his niche" in being a voice of reason and experience around the next generation.

Still, that's a side issue for now, when the main event is refusing to accede to any sense that his career might be winding up.

"I think it's the drive that you have - if you still have the ambition to be the best, you believe in yourself and you look after yourself, there's nothing to stop you pushing on," he said.

"I've been fortunate that I still love the game. I set myself goals to be a better goalkeeper every year that I play, and that's no different next year.

"Some people feel it's enough at a certain time - I don't. Physically I'm in great shape."

Covic has cause to be grateful to the PFA in dealings with unscrupulous clubs, and has been happy to serve as union delegate at more than one club.

"I like being involved in the PFA - they helped me a lot over the years, especially when I was overseas and had a few issues," he said.

"I think I've taken on the that role at Western Sydney this year, and Melbourne Victory too last year.

"You could almost say I've found my niche at this age and time of career. I need to help some of the kids along, not a formal mentor as such but once my career is over - which hopefully is years away - I really want to stay in football. Whether that's in pure goalkeeping or general terms, it's something I want to do. I don't want to move away from the game that's given me my life."

Covic will also watch approvingly at his counterpart down the field, Mariners keeper Mat Ryan, almost half his age but already in the Socceroos fold. Belying the cliche that goalkeepers need experience on their side, Ryan is in to his second grand final in three years.

"Maty is a little bit on the shorter side in terms of goalkeepers, but he makes up for that with his reflexes and the power he has out of his legs," Covic said.

"He's a good young goalkeeper with a bright future, and he's a really nice kid too, so I hope he goes on to achieve great things.

"Though preferably after Sunday, of course ... "

Ryan himself has learnt one thing quickly - the value of the team ethic at the Mariners.

"The camaraderie here is probably the utmost factor in our success," the 20-year-old said.

"Whatever has come our way, we have dealt with it as a team. We do everything as a unit - team lunches, team dinners and so on.

"Everyone is willing to put in for the team, and to die on the pitch for each other."